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Vote Tabulators

Vote tabulators optically scan the ballots as they are fed into it, recording the polling subdivision and candidate selected by the elector on the ballot. Throughout polling days, the tabulator displays the number of ballots cast, but does not report totals for candidates until the close of polls. A security key is required to obtain the results from the tabulator.

Tabulators also allow electors the opportunity to correct any mistakes on the ballot that would otherwise have resulted in a rejected ballot, such as blank ballots (undervote) or ballots with more than one selection (overvote).

Results reporting is streamlined with the use of vote tabulators, as results can be obtained from each unit within minutes of the close of polls. Unofficial results will be reported by tabulator and polling location, rather than by poll. Official results will provide detailed poll by poll information.

Vote tabulators will be found:

At the Returning Office and Elections Alberta (Edmonton Office) for Special Ballots

Voter Assist Terminal

The voter assist terminal offers electors with physical impairments that would otherwise limit their ability to vote un-assisted with three options for casting their vote independently; a hand-held controller, paddles or a sip and puff device. Each input device is combined with an audio session using a headset that allows the elector to hear the names of all candidates, prior to navigating to the candidate they want to vote for. Upon casting their vote, the voter assist terminal marks the ballot and feeds it into the tabulator.

Input Devices Available

Hand-Held Controller: a controller with large buttons and braille markings, that can be used by electors that are blind, have low vision or have difficulty reading. Up and down arrows allow the navigation through the candidates and an X button allows the selection of a candidate and casting their vote.

Paddles Assistive Device: A device with two paddles that can be controlled by different parts of the body, such as hands, arms, legs or feet. The elector navigates through the candidates by pressing the blue paddle and using the red paddle to select a candidate and cast their vote.

Sip and Puff Device: A straw is provided to the elector, who then puffs on it to navigate through the candidates and sips to select the candidate and cast their vote.

Voter Assist Terminals will be found:

At the Returning Office, available during office hours from December 2, 2017 until the close of polls on December 14, 2017

Electronic Poll Books

Each polling station will be equipped with a Chromebook that will have access, through a secure connection, to a digital poll book. Registered electors can be searched for by scanning the bar code on the where to vote card, driver’s licence, or by name and address look ups. As electors are marked as voted, the information is updated in the database, allowing all polling stations and candidates (through a secure website) to have an up-to-date record of electors who have voted. The use of electronic poll books will also allow for:

Vote anywhere capacity for advance poll: electors may visit any of the three identified advance poll locations to cast their vote

Banker Style Service at Polling Locations on Election Day: Within their identified polling location, electors can receive their ballot from any of the polling stations

The electronic poll book will allow for more flexible and efficient service to electors at both advance and regular polling day.

Electronic Poll Books will be found:

At the Returning Office and Elections Alberta (Edmonton Office) for Special Ballots